By William / http://www.mcpherson-county-ks.com
LINDSBORG – In a busy start to the week, the Smoky Valley volleyball team has scored four wins in two days, winning a pair of matches at home on Monday before going on the road Tuesday and getting another pair of wins at Southeast of Saline.
The Lady Viking are now 25-3 on the season while the Junior Varsity is 19-4.
Next up for the top-ranked Lady Vikings will be a home match triangular with Pratt and Hesston on Tuesday October 12 before heading to a tournament at Abilene on Saturday, October 16.
Here are summaries of the Monday and Tuesday matches.
MONDAY MATCHES AT HOME:
On Monday the Lady Vikings hosted two visitors and won both matches in straight sets, beating Central Plains 25-17, 25-13 before putting away Ellsworth 25-13, 25-10.
Leading the charge for the Lady Vikings were Adrian Hazelwood with a whopping 42 assists, Hope Duncan scored 26/28 serves with six aces as well as recording 16 kills and making 17 digs.
The Lady Viking junior varsity also won both of their matches with Central Plains and Ellsworth.
LADY VIKINGS LEADING THE STAT SHEET:
Hope Duncan = 26/28 on serves and 6 aces, 16 kills, and 17 digs.
Madi Tolle = 13/15 on serves, 3 assisted blocks, 7 kills, 2 assists, and 7 digs.
Adrian Hazelwood = 18/19 on serves, 42 assists, 4 kills, and 8 digs.
Laini Haigh = 9/10 on serves with 1 ace, and 4 digs.
Abby Rose = 7/10 on serves with 2 aces, 2 assisted blocks, 11 kills, 1 assist, and 11 digs.
Avery Vanderwege = 5/6 on serves with 4 digs.
Chloe Patrick = 1 dig.
Aubrey Boldra = 2/2 on serves, 3 assisted blocks, 5 digs, and 7 kills.
Katja Blanchat = 3 assisted blocks, 7 kills, and 3 digs.
LADY VIKING HEAD COACH SHARLENE RAMSEY’S REFLECTIONS:
“We were aware that Central Plains was having another good season and we knew we had to contain the Nixon girl as she was a very good hitter and blocker. I thought our girls really gave her trouble at the net and took her out of the game.”
“I was excited that they didn’t push a third set with us. We had 22 kills in the game but also had 12 hitting errors so we will work to clean that up before we get to substate.”
“In the Ellsworth game, I felt our girls played relaxed, but yet focused. Hope (Duncan) and Katja (Blanchat) had really great nights as Hope led the team in kills, digs and ace serves. Katja was aggressive at the net and placed her attacks in open spots that resulted in kills.”
“Overall, it was a great evening for both our Varsity and Junior Varsity girls.
TUESDAY MATCHES ON THE ROAD:
On Tuesday, the Lady Vikings went on the road to battle Halstead and Southeast of Saline where they scored two more straight set victories.
Smoky Valley out-dueled Halstead 25-21, 25-21 before rolling past Southeast of Saline 25-10, 25-14.
Leading the Lady Vikings on the evening were Madi Tolle who scored 15/18 on serves with three aces while recording 14 kills and making 12 digs, plus Hope Duncan had 12/14 on serves with 13 kills and 13 digs. Adrian Hazelwood again put up some impressive numbers by having 53 assists and scoring 15/16 on serves. Laini Haigh and Aubrey Boldra both scored perfect on serves with 17/17 and 8/8 respectively.
The Lady Viking Junior Varsity team also scored a pair of wins over both Halstead and Southeast of Saline.
LADY VIKINGS LEADING THE STAT SHEET:
Madi Tolle = 15/18 on serves with 3 aces, 1 solo block, 14 kills, 1 assist, and 12 digs.
Adrian Hazelwood = 15/16 on serves, 1 assisted block, 53 assists, 1 kill, and 11 digs.
Laini Haigh = 17/17 on serves with 11 digs.
Aubrey Boldra = 8/8 on serves with 1 aces, 11 digs, and 6 kills.
Hope Duncan = 12/14 on serves, 13 kills, and 13 digs.
Avery Vanderwege = 9/11 on serves with 1 ace, plus 19 digs.
Abby Rose = 9/10 on serves, 18 kills, and 22 digs.
Chloe Patrick = 17 digs.
Katja Blanchat = 1 assisted and 1 solo block, 6 kills, and 3 digs.
LADY VIKING HEAD COACH SHARLENE RAMSEY’S REFLECTIONS:
“Halstead caught us a little off guard as they played the net very well. Our blocking is usually one of our biggest strengths, but Halstead just did not allow that to happen.”
“The Halstead defense made our hitters work really hard as well. Our girls did a great job of playing unselfishly which helped us work through the downs in the game.”
“Our defensive specialists, Chloe (Patrick) and Avery (Vanderwege) played two very solid matches tonight. Chloe had 17 digs and Avery had 19 digs which were keys to our wins.”
“Our attack game was very balanced with Abby (Rose) having 18 kills, Madi (Tolle) having 14, Hope (Duncan) 13, and then Aubrey (Boldra) and Katja (Blanchat) each having six.”
“If we can continue to do that, then this team will be unstoppable. As a team for the night, we served at 90% which is about 3-4% lower than our average, but players like Laini (Haigh) who went 17/17, contributed to earning points on the board. This team is so fun to work with each day and they have big goals for how this season should end.”
{www.mcpherson-county-ks.com is looking for Smoky Valley Viking Activity Posting SPONSORS to help cover costs – $40/month to help keep your school’s activity postings continue…..inquiry by email to William at crossdovewriter@gmail.com}